Paul and Charlene Bender’s search for the perfect spot to retire someday led them first to the Thousand Islands, and then to Stone & South on the River in Gananoque, ON.

Currently living in Whitby, Ont., the Benders purchased a 1,066-square-foot, two-bedroom condominium at CaraCo Development Corp.’s spectacular community of exclusive dockside residences on the St. Lawrence River. “We’re very familiar with the Thousand Islands and have lots of vacation history there,” Paul said.

“We have camped in the area for over 20 years and, about eight years ago, bought a cottage near Rockport. We’ve discovered that Charlene and I are a very social couple, and we want to live on the water, but not so removed from civilization.”

A fire department platoon chief in the Greater Toronto Area, Paul will retire soon. Charlene worked for 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry and now owns an independent pharmaceutical regulatory affairs consulting business, which she operates from home.

Location is definitely key for the Benders. Paul points out that “Gananoque is a nice quiet town, but if we are in the mood for downtown bustle, Kingston is only a 20-minute ride. There’s everything we could want in that city.”

Paul and Charlene Bender have purchased a two-bedroom condo at Stone and South on the River.Supplied

When they first learned about Stone & South, they registered early, and theirs was the 12th purchase in 2016. “There are so many great destinations within minutes of this new waterfront community,” Charlene said. “We’ll easily be able to go out for lunch or dinner, and there is plenty of choice. We’ve already eaten in most of the restaurants in the area, and we really like The Ivy on the outskirts of town. We can even get there by boat.”

“This condo building will be appealing on the shoreline, like a jewel on the river,” Paul added. “We purchased a corner suite with a large balcony overlooking a boat slip which we may potentially purchase. Right now, we have several small watercraft, but when we move, we will likely get one larger boat. And we’ll be able to boat and stay overnight on the boat, at different destinations, along the St. Lawrence River. There’s nothing else like this aspiring development in the area for living in a condo on the water with boat slips right there.”

This sense of freedom for residents is an important feature. “It’s carefree living, just lock-‘n’-leave,” said Mariah Hamilton, regional director, marketing & business development.

Outside, the residences reflect a blend of the area’s rich history and its modern, vibrant lifestyle. “What we’ve done is have a more traditional brick Tudor-style building reflecting the nature of the heritage tree-lined neighbourhood. While we are respectful of the history, inside we have all the modern conveniences.”

All of the suites have beautiful views of the St. Lawrence River and the majestic Thousand Islands. “The views are all south-facing,” said Hamilton. “Beautiful views up and down the river. From your balcony, you can watch the Gananoque boat line tours of the Thousand Islands go by.”

Stone and South is located on a stunning spot on the St. Lawrence River, with views overlooking the Thousand Islands.Supplied

Culture-lovers Charlene and Paul are also excited that the Thousand Islands Playhouse is adjacent to the Stone & South community. “We enjoy the theatre, and couldn’t ask for anything better in a local amenity that is just a short walk away.”

They also look forward to making use of the amenities within Stone & South, including the fitness centre and social room.

“We have confidence in CaraCo Development Corp. We looked into their background and spoke with an industry professional I know who confirmed that the company is a reputable, award-winning firm in the Kingston, Ont., area.”

Design and features were important to the Benders and the design of the spacious suites of the Stone & South condominium residences is stunning. “There are beautiful expansive floor-to-ceiling windows in most suites,” said Hamilton.

The grand, eight-foot-deep balconies and terraces offer up to 310 square feet of private outdoor space, and ceilings up to 10 feet high make every room feel open and airy. Most of the residences also feature “flex space,” a unique design option that allows flexibility with the design of one’s home. This flex space can be used as a den, an office, an extra bedroom, a library, or even just comfortable open space.

“We’ve created a flex space that can be customized to each purchaser’s needs,” said Hamilton. “Whether it be an office or a dining area, homeowners can create the space they will love. Most people already know what they’d like, whether it’s an extra space for their office or built-in extra storage.”

The Benders were also impressed with the finishes on offer. “The level of standard features including granite countertops and wide-plank engineered hardwood flooring was impressive,” said Paul. “I doubt we’ll need to upgrade when the time comes to select our finishes. And for us, this will be a fun plan for our retirement!”